Pumping apparatus



3 Sheets-Sheet l ZBMOTOR PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1938 E. TOPANELIAN.

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FROM WELL May 28, 1940. E. ToPANELlAN. JR 2,202,439

PUMPING APPARATUS Fiied Aug. 9, 19:58 :s sheets-sheet 2 www May 28, 1940. y E. TOPANELIANQJR PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ELECTRIC MOTOR Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED NSTATES PUMPING APPARATUS Edward Topanelian, Jr., Penn Township, Alleglieny County, Pa., assigner to Gulf Research &

Development Company,

poration of Delaware Application August 9,

9 Claims.

This invention or discovery relates to improvements in pumping apparatus; and it comprises in combination a pump of the deep-Well type provided with an inlet passage and an outlet 5 passage, power means for driving the pump, valve means for at least one of said passages, constructed and arranged to close the passage and thereby seal oil the pump when the pump is idle, and means under control of said power means for causing the valve means to open when the pump is running; all as more fully hereinafter described and as claimed.

In the patent to R. J. S. Pigott yNo. 2,022,781, granted December 3, 1935, there is described a deep-well pump for recovering oil from wells, which includes a set of rotary gear pumps and a set of hydraulic motors for driving the pumps, all arranged as a unit adapted to be lowered by means of tubing deep in the well. In operation, oil is forced down the tubing to operate the hydraulic motors, and theexhaust oil mingles with the well oil pumped upward by the pumps. The apparatus is compact and eicient. However, it is found in practice that in some cases dirt and pipe scale tend to get into the outlet and inlet of the unit, while it is being lowered into place through the well casing. The dirt and scale interfere with the operation of the pump. Moreover, when the pump is shut down in the well, the presence of the high static head of power oil above thev pump sometimes gives trouble, due to back flow, which puts pressure on the `oil sand and moreover sometimes carries dirt into the pump. Somewhat similar diiculties are sometimes encountered in other types of Well pumps, and have detracted from the eiciency of otherwise quite eicient apparatus.

According to the present invention there are provided means for eiectively sealing on the working parts of the pump during the time it is being lowered into the well or when it is shut `downwhile in the Well; which means are arranged to open up the pump passages automatically when the pump is started up. Thus op; eration of the pump is not interfered with no matter how much scale and dirt it may encounter on its way do'wn the well. In addition, with the arrangement described, certain other and additional advantages are secured, both in the particular type of well pump mentioned and in other types of well pump.

The apparatus of the mvention, in its complete 55 which means are normallyin closed position Pittsburgh, Pa., a cor- 1938, Serial N0. 223,913

when the pump is not running, and means under control of the power medium or power means, for automatically opening up the pump when pumping is begun.

In the accompanying drawings/there are shown, more or less diagrammatically, two examples of specific embodiments of apparatus Within the purview of the invention. In the drawings,

Fig. l is a View partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the upper part of a pumping apparatus showing the upper valve means,

Fig. 2 is a continuation of Fig. 1 showing the lower part or the pumping apparatus and lower valve means,

Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2, Y

Fig. 4 is a detail view in vertical section of4 the upper valve means of the apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the lower valve means,

Fig. 6 is a View in vertical section of a modication including an electrically driven pump, and

Fig. 7 is a continuation of Fig. 6, showing the lower valve means.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the invention applied to a hydraulic-motor-driven pumping apparatus of` the type described in the acknowledged Pigott patent, and comprising two gear pumps in casings I and II, and two gear motors in casings I2 and I3, driving the pumps. Fig'. 3, a cross section of motor I3, shows the gear arrangement, which includes a ring gear I4, having inter-tooth ports I and a cooperating pinion `|6 mounted on a shaft I1 for rotating the pumping gears (Figs. 1 and 2) which are of the same design as the motor gears. The gear assemblage is mounted in a cylindrical casing I8 having liquid passages for incoming power oil, at I9, for eX- haust power oil, at 20, and for well oil discharge, at 2|. Sleeve means 22 and 23 separate the inlet side of the pumping gears from the outlet side, and in operation power oil,`supplied under pressure at I 9, enters the gear combination, rotating it in the direction of the arrow, and exhausts at 20. For details of the gear pump and motor arrangement, which is not per se a part of the invention, the acknowledged Pigott patent should be consulted.

The whole apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 is lowered as a unit into the well on the lower end of a string of tubing 25, which may be a couple of miles long in deep wells. Power oil is supplied through tubing 25. The power oil, which is ordinarily cleaned crude oil, flows down throughv a coupling means or tubing bleeder 26, and

' being coupled together as shown.

strainer 21 into a sleeve member 28, delivering through a venturi-like tting 29 to the connection 3D for the pump proper, the various parts Thence the power oil enters the top motor I2 and the bottom motor I3 through suitable passages, and exhausts therefrom. The passages are arranged in the peripheral region as shown in Fig. 3 and as described in the acknowledged patent.

Oil from the well is sucked upward through a screen tting 3| and packer member 32, through a valve casing means 33 and 34 (described in connection with Fig. 5) to the inlet proper of the pumpingv apparatus, indicated at 35, whence it is forced upward by the pumps, issuing from the outlet of the uppermost pump through an outlet passage 36 in member 30.'

Considering rst the upper valve means of the invention (Fig. 4): sleeve 28 is surrounded with an outer sleeve 31, having a coupling attachment 3B for adapter 38. Sleeve 28 is also attached to the venturi 29 (Figs. 1 and 4) and arranged to dene an annular passage 39 communicating with the well-oil outlet passage 36 as shown. Sleeve 31 is surrounded by a telescopic sleeve 40, having packing means 4| retained by a ring 48 and bolts 49 and arranged to form a dirt-tight sliding joint with the exterior of sleeve 28, and perforated at 42. Small rivet heads |35 on the upper Aend of sleeve 31 limit the downward motion of sleeve 40, and stops 43 prevent turning so that ports 42 and ,44 will be kept in line. Inner sleeve 31 has perforations 44 adapted to register with perforations 42 when the sleeve is raised, and packing rings 45 make a dirt-tight sliding joint between sleeves 48 and 31, as shown. A coil spring 56, bearing at its lower end on ring 48 and at its upper end on a coupling member 5|, normally keeps the sleeve in the position shown, with ports 44 shut oil? as shown. A protective sleeve 52 on coupler 5| protects the spring.

As the pump is being lowered into the well, sleeve 40 is in the position shown, protecting the pumping apparatus proper from liquids, dirt, etc. in the well. Upon starting up the pumps, oil from the well under pump pressure (mingled with exhaust power oil from the motors) issues into passage 39 and forces sleeve 48 upward, by piston effect, until ports 44 and 42 are brought into registry, whereupon the well oil flows out into the casing and up toward the top of the well. Upon shutting oi the pumps, the protective sleeve 40 automatically returns to the sealing position shown.

Considering the lower valve assembly: casing portion 33 (Figs. Z-and 5) contains a valve ball 53 seated on an inset annular seat 54 as shown. This valve is for the dual purpose of preventing ow of power oil into the well, when the pump is shut down in the well, and of causing the pressure to build up in the bottom chamber |36 to balance the valve piston so that the spring can close the valve. The power oil in pipe 25 may exert a head of several thousand pounds pressure at the pump, and on shutting down the pump the oil tends to seep through the various clearances, and into the well, which is disadvantageous for tWo reasons. The power oil always contains suspended matter which tends to filter out in the pump clearances and cause trouble, and moreover the column of power oil may exert a back pressure on the producing sands, which may decrease the production rate. The ball check valve shown, prevents these actions, by automatically sealing the pump when pumping is discontinued.

Above the ball check valve is the valve means forvsealing off the pump while it is being lowered into the well. As shown (Fig. 5) a poppet valve is provided comprising a hollow stem 68 with a seating portion 6I of stainless steel clamped between a cap 62 and a base portion 63 and coop,

erating with an annular seat 64 in member 34. The stem is slidably mounted in a hollow cylindrical nipple 65 clamped to member 34 by a threaded annulus 66 engaging a ange 61 on the nipple. Packing 68 is interposed between the stem and the nipple as shown. At the lower end of the valve stem is attached a piston leather cup 69, by means of disks 10 and 1| and a nut 12, the piston cup engaging a cylindrical bore 13 in the nipple. The valve is normally forced upward to closed position as shown by a coil spring 14 abutting disk 1| and a cup-shaped' cap 15 threaded at 16 to the lower end of the nipple. A tubular spud 11 with base portion 18 bolted to the cap as shown, provides a guide for the spring 14 and also serves as a lower stop for the piston. Perforations |31 prevent entrapment of liquid.

Power oil is supplied to the upper side of the piston through a passage in the nipple, communicating with a passage 8| in member 34 which in turn communicates with a passage 82 extending up to the lowest motor, where it communicates with the power oil inlet I9 by means of a passage 19 (Fig. 3) so as to receive power oil under pressure.

The poppet valve is ordinarily held closed by the spring 14 as shown in Fig. 5, sealing the pump inlet from well liquids and dirt. On starting up, the motors and pumps, power oil ows down through passages 82, 8| and 80 and forces the valve piston 69 down, opening the valve. Any oil within bore 13 flows up through the hollow valve stem to the pump inlet. On shutting down the pump the valve automatically closes.

Considering 'the operation in more detail: the poppet valve is opened by the pressure of power oil above piston 10. I'he strength of spring 14 and area of piston 10 are such that the,pressure of power oil will normally be great enough to open the valve only at such time as the pump has begun to spin. This occurs as follows: in starting, the power oil pressure is gradually built up until a sufficient differential is obtained across the motor gears to cause them to turn. This is normally a known low-pressure differential, since the pump gears will be unloaded due to well oil not being admitted to the pump. As the gears speed up, however, the friction load is increased, and therefore the power oil pressure is raised. The valve is designed to open at this stage. It is an advantage to be able to get the pumps in motion before the dirty well oil is admitted. It will be seen that the creation of suction above valve 62, which is equalized below piston 10, also contributes to this functionl When shutting down, valve 53 plays an important part. 'Ihe discharge valve of Fig. 4 will hold back the head of oil in the discharge casing. The bottom hole pressure will then be separated from the discharge column and will be lower than the static head of either the discharge column or the power oil column. The static pressure of the power oil above piston 18 would tend to hold the valve 62 open. However, the entire pump is lled with oil, and the power oil column exerts pressure throughout the unit by leakage through the various parts. This leakage would tend to flow into the well but is stopped by valve 53, which causes the pressure to build up in the valve chamber and equalize the power oil static head on both sides of valve 62 and piston 10, thus permitting the valve 62 to close. v

Figs. 1 to 5 show the -complete apparatus with all three valves, but if desired one or two of these valves can be omitted when not necessary for a particular well condition. v

Figs. 6 and '1 show how the invention is applied in protecting an electrically driven well pump. In the type illustrated, pumped oil is forced up through a tubing, and valve means are necessary to protect the pump outlet from scale, etc. As shown, a two-stage gear pump is provided, each comprising a ring gear 90 and a pinion 9|, the ring gears being mounted in an annular housing 92 by means of roller bearings` 93. The pinions are mounted on a shaft 94, having bearings 95 at the ends thereof, and rotated by means of an electric motor 96. An extension 91 is attached to shaft 94, carrying a booster impeller pump 98 which serves the functions described in the acknowledged Pigott patent. Well oil enters the pump through an inlet connection 99 (Figs. 6 and 7), is boostedin pressure by impeller 98, passes through a winding passage |00 to the inlet side of the lower pumping gear combination, at |0|.

The electric motor 96 is supplied with current through three wires |09, ||0 and a junction box indicated as a whole by ||2, and cables H3. I4 and I5, leading to the top of the well through a conduit |||.v The motor and electrical connections therefor are of conventional type and require no detailed description.

An outer casing ||1 encloses the pumps and motor as shown.

The lower valve means include a poppet valve, of construction similar to that of the valve shown in Fig. 5, and which engages a seat 64 in member 99. A flanged hollow cylindrical member ||8 is screwed in tomember 99 as shown. The flange is perforated at ||9 to deliver toa tapered passage |20 in member 99 as shown, and at |29 to admit equalizing pressure `above piston 69. The

piston arrangement in the apparatus of Fig. 7 isv solely for balancing the valve, so that the solenoid will not have to work against hydraulic pressure. A tube |2| of brass or other non-magnetic material extends downward from` member I I8, to form a guide for a soft iron solenoid plunger |22, connected to the valve stem by a rod |23 threaded on f the lower end of the valve stem (in lieu of the nut 12 of Fig. 5). The rod is perforated at |24 to admit equalizing pressure below the piston and to permit escape of anyI oil which may get below the piston. A spring |25 normally keeps the valve closed.

Surrounding tube |2| and solenoid plunger |22 is a solenoid coil |26, protected by a easing |21, and connected by leads |28 with two of the motor supply wires at |29 and |30. Thus upon starting up the motor, the solenoid is energized and the valve opens. The poppet valve of Fig. '1 is made to provide a slight time lag to permit the pump to spin before admission of well oil. This is done by making plunger |22 aloose t in sleeve |2|, giving a. dash-pot restraining eifect. The admission or extrusion of oil from chamber |32 below the armature takes time.

Below the solenoid is a valve ball 53, seated at 54 in an arrangement similar to that described in v connection with Fig. 5. When the pump is shut down in the well, this ball valve closes, preventing the pressure of the long column of oil in pipe |08 from being communicated to the well bottom by leakage of oil past the pumps, and obviating any movement of oil down through the pump mechanism. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 and 7, valve 53 can be omitted if desired, as valve |06 serves a similar function; but when Valve. |06 is omitted for any reason, valve 53 is useful as an auxiliary to valve 62. 'Ihus on shutting down the pump, the back ow is some cases might begin before valve 62 could close, in which case there might be an inertia eiectfrom the column of liquid in the tubing tending to keep valve 62 open for a considerable time. But valve. 53 prevents this by its immediate closing on back ow.

What I claim is:

1. A deep well pumping apparatus comprising in combination a string of tubing` a vertically elongated pump casing attached to the tubing and adapted to be lowered into a well thereon, pumping means within the casing. the casing `having an inlet passage communicating with said pumping means and the well, and an outlet passage communicating with said pumping means for discharging pumped liquid upward. a motor adjacent said pumping means for driving the pumping means, means for supplying power to the motor from the top of the well. protective Valve means for at least one of said passages, means for normally keeping said valve means in closed position when the motor is idle so as to prevent passage of foreign matter into the pump casing, and means constructed and arranged to apply power to said valve means to open the valve means substantially simultaneously with the starting up of the motor and pumping means so as to maintain the valve means continuously open while the motor` and pumping means are running.

2. The apparatus of claim l wherein the valve means is a hydraulically openable valve, and the power means for opening the valve includes means for delivering liquid from said outlet passage to the valve, so that upon development of pump pressure the valve is opened.

3. .The apparatus of claim l wherein the valve means is an electrically openable valve, the motor and means for supplying power thereto comprises an electric motor and an electrical power circuit therefor, and the means for .applying power to the valve comprises leads from the motor circuit to the valve.

4. The apparatus of claim l wherein the valve means is in the inlet passage so as to protect the inlet of the pumping means from entrance of dirt while the casing is being lowered into the well, and is constructed and arranged to open slowly upon application of power thereto, so that thepump inlet is protected from dirt when the pumping means is idle and so that pumping is started under less than full load. Y

5. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition a check valve in the casing controlling the inlet passage, arranged to open upon development of pump suction and to close upon cessation of pump suction, so as to prevent movement of liquid from the tubing through the pumping means during idle periods.

6. A- deep well pumping apparatus comprising in-combination a vertically elongated pump cas- Cil ing within a well, a pump within the casing and a hydraulic motor arranged to drive the pump, a string of tubing extending down the well and leaving an annular space between itself and the well, said tubing being attached tothe casing for delivering motive Huid to the motor, means for sealing off the lower portion of said annular space, said casing having a lower inlet passage therein communicating with the suction side of the pump and an upper outlet passage communicating with the discharge side of the pump and arranged to discharge liquid into the annular space between the string of tubing and the well, a `hydraulically openable valve on the upper part of the casing constructed and arranged to close 01T and protect the outlet passage, means for keeping the valve closed when the pump is idle, and means providing a liquid passage from the discharge side of the pump to said valve so that the valve is opened on development of pump pressure, whereby the pump is protected from dirt scraped from the wall when the pump is loweredv into the well.

7. A deep well pumping apparatus comprising in combination a vertically elongated casing, a pump in the casing and a hydraulic motor arranged to drive the pump, the casing having an inlet passage for the motor, an inlet passage for the pump, and a discharge passage for the pump and the motor arranged to discharge liquid from the casing into the well, a string of tubing attached to the casing and arranged to deliver motive uid to the motor inlet passage, sealing means disposed below said discharge passage and adapted to prevent liquid discharged from the pump from 1 eturning to the lower portion of the well, a hydraulically openable valve arranged to close oil' and protect said discharge passage, means for keeping the valve closed when the pump is idle, means for delivering liquid from the discharge passage to said valve so that the valve opens on operation of the motor and pump, and a check valve for the pump inlet passage arranged to open toward the pump so that upon stopping the pump, now of liquid and dirt from the tubing through the pump and motor is prevented by the check valve.

8. A deep well pumping apparatus comprising in combination a vertically elongated pump casing, tubing attached to the casing for lowering the casing into a well, pumping means within the casing having an inlet passage in communication with liquids in the well and an outlet passage for pumped oil, means for driving the pumping means, protective valve means for the outlet passage, means for normally maintaining said valve means in closed position when the pumping means is idle so as to prevent entrance of` foreign matter into the pumping means when the apparatus is being lowered into the well, means for applying power to said Valve means simultaneously with the starting up of said pumping means, a Valve in the inlet passage, means for normally holding said inlet valve closed when the pumping means is idle, means for applying power to said inlet valve substantially simultaneously with the starting up of said pumping means to open said valve. and a check valve in said inlet passage located beyond the inlet valve upstream with respect thereto during pumping, and adapted to open toward the pumping means, so that upon shutting down the pumping means pressures within the casing are equalized and said inlet valve is allowed to close.

9. The apparatus of claim l wherein the valve means comprises a sleeve Valve, constructed and arranged to be opened by application of liquid pressure to a part thereof and arranged to cover the discharge passage so as to protect the pump.

ing means from dirt scraped 01T the well walls when the apparatus is lowered into the Well, and the means for applying power to the valve means to open it comprises a duct supplying pumped liquid thereto.

EDWARD TOPANELIAN, JR. 

